Tag: <span>peptides</span>

Metal peptide complexes play an important role in understanding the mechanisms of complex diseases at a molecular level. Peptides are good chelators for metal ions and can form important tools in the drug and medical device industries. Transition metal ions are characterized by their ability to assume different oxidation states and serve as centers for metalloenzymes that catalyze electron transfers. Some transition metals act as Lewis acids and
become an active site on enzymes and also catalyze reactions (e.g., peptidases, phosphatases). Metal peptide complexes are involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and are used as cancer diagnostics. Many biomolecules (molecules produced by living cells) like metabolites, hormones, and vitamins are capable of forming strong, multidentate metal ion complexes. Species in the plant and animal kingdoms synthesize specific metal ion chelators that bind to essential metals with extremely high affinities. Plants and animals including humans possess a number of unique biomolecules that can coordinate metal ions. Peptide conjugation is a widely used and effective method for improving both cellular and nuclear entry of a variety of molecules…